Forder and Singh combo boost Bucks

A MATCH-WINNING partnership of 145 guided Buxton CC 1st XI to a fine victory at home to Birch Vale on Saturday.

The result moved the Bucks 11 points clear of bottom-placed Chapel-en-le-Frith in the Peak Sports Derbyshire and Cheshire League Division One.

Buxton CC, Tom Forder

Chasing 188, Buxton won with more than 14 overs to spare as Amrit Singh (83 not out) and Tom Forder (64 not out) shared a fourth wicket partnership of 145.

Buxton were excellent in restricting Birch Vale to only 187-5 off their 45 overs. Reduced to 65-3, the visitors initially struggled against the new ball, with Mark Hill, Matthew Poole and Singh taking a wicket apiece.

However, with ten overs remaining, they still had seven wickets intact and should have pushed for over 200. This was until Nick Smith (1-56 off 17 overs) removed the dangerous Lloyd Kennedy (89). Later, Poole (2-57) returned to take a second wicket and Birch finished on a slightly below par score, given the batting-friendly conditions.

Buxton’s reply faltered early as Bob Marsden fell without troubling the scorers, then Julian Burgess (21) and Luke Smith (17) got themselves out when well set, to leave the Bucks on 44-3.

These wickets brought Singh and Forder to the crease, and between them they took the game away from Birch, profiting from some loose change bowling in the closing stages, to record a much-needed win and 18 points for Buxton.